Summer 2009 UOC News...Just for You! e-newsletter available.
Read about Dr. Longobardi's team physician sponsorship opportunity,  meet the newest UOC staff members,  learn a bit more about out-of-network benefits & more... 
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Raphael S. F. Longobardi, MD, FAAOS
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
Sports Medicine Specialist

Fluid replacement is an important nutritional concern for football players. Approximately 60% of body weight is water.

Football Gear Is For Protection, Not Cooling

As a football player trains and competes, fluid is lost through the skin as sweat, through the lungs as he breathes and as urine. If fluid is not replaced at regular intervals during a game or training it can quickly lead to dehydration.

Football players are at increased risk of dehydration in part because of their equipment needs. Football gear is designed for protection, but the necessary padding does not allow for quick evaporation or cooling. It's not uncommon for players to lose anywhere between 5-15 pounds during a game or workout, especially during two-a-day practices.

Shoulder injuries are the third most common group of orthopedic injuries in football. AC Joint (or Acromioclavicular joint ) Sprains/Shoulder Separations are one of the most common types of shoulder injuries sustained in football. Although quarterbacks are usually "off-limits" in practice, they are particularly vulnerable in games when they can get slammed to the ground. Wide receivers are at risk when they go up for a pass and come down shoulder-first hitting the turf. Regardless of the position being played, if an athlete lands on their shoulder, the risk of injuring their AC joint is high, despite protective shoulder pads.

Raphael S. F. Longobardi, MD

Sports Medicine Specialist
Board certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Due to the size of the players, speed of the game and the sheer physical nature of the game, injuries related to playing football are quite common. As a matter of fact, football produces the highest rate of injuries per player per hour than any other sport. The highest injury rates are seen in professional football. Interestingly, but not surprisingly, most injuries occur during actual games, rather than practice; this is because players tend to 'play harder' and take more risks during a game.

Dr. Longobardi is proud to announce that he has become a proud sponsor and  the team physician of  the New Jersey Football Coaches Association (NJFCA) and the  12^th Annual New Jersey-Northeast All-Star Classic football game.  “The Classic” is the largest regional high school football event in the Northeast.   The game will be played June 7, 2009.

RAPHAEL S. F. LONGOBARDI, MD, FAAOS OF UNIVERSTIY ORTHOPAEDIC CENTER RECEIVES PATIENT’S CHOICE AWARD

A physician most highly regarded by his patients

For Immediate Release - March 30, 2009 – Hackensack, NJ – Although there is only one designated day a year to honor doctors, we are proud to announce that Dr. Raphael Longobardi, MD, FAAOS,  Sports Medicine Specialist/Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, has received the “Patient’s Choice” recognition for his unanimous, outstanding reviews made by patients online all year.

Jamie Luna
Cheerleader; Montclair State University

 When your passion for a sport starts when you are five years old and eventually defines the course of your education, an injury is not something that is taken lightly.

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